Somalia didn’t have a written language until the 1970's, and today, many if not most Somalis still live within an oral tradition. And in that tradition the poet is king.
Intelligent. Optimistic. Curious.
Audio
When evangelical Christians say they talk to God, what do they mean? Anthropologist Tanya Luhrmann wanted to find out, so she spent two years as a participant observer in a Charismatic church, talking to the congregation and even praying herself. She says prayer involves cultivating the imagination. Luhrmann also describes her cross-cultural study of schizophrenics who hear voices.
The celebrated poet Edward Hirsch says the history of poetry is the history of poetic forms. And to prove it he wrote a 700-page compendium about all things poetry.
Kevin Powers served as a machine gunner in Iraq in 2004 and 2005. His novel “The Yellow Birds” was a finalist for the National Book Award.
Anne Rice, queen of the vampire novel, talks about her obsession with good and evil and the search for meaning. She says the Eucharist looms behind behind her vampire stories.
Why does this teenager believe that poetry is the literary art most relevant to our lives today?
Journalist Andrew Sullivan tells Steve Paulson why he thinks Americans must stand up for their country now.
Journalist Adam Cohen has written a book about E-bay. He tells Steve Paulson that the on-line auction house has been profitable since day one and will sell just about anything.
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